Reason Winston Groom Hated Tom Hank’s’ ‘Forest Gump’

Tom Hanks’ unforgettable portrayal of Forrest Gump has solidified its place in cinematic history, becoming an integral part of his legacy. However, not everyone was initially enamored by the film, including the author of the original novel, Winston Groom.

Groom, whose literary reputation soared thanks to the film’s immense popularity, found himself discontented with various aspects of the production. The arduous process, filled with disagreements between Groom and Hollywood executives, proved to be a significant source of frustration. Furthermore, the final product deviated from the source material, diluting Groom’s unique vision. Reflecting on the tumultuous early stages of production, Groom revealed, “First, it was about eight years of production hell just getting it there. Our deal was originally with Warner Brothers, but they turned it over to Paramount. I wrote a lot of scripts. Part of the problem was that Gump was 6’6” and 240 pounds in the novel. They couldn’t find an actor big enough to play him. So they told me to rewrite him.”

While Groom appreciated Hanks’ exceptional performance, he felt let down by director Robert Zemeckis’ reluctance to explore certain political aspects of the novel. A dispute over his share of the box office revenue further soured his opinion of the Hollywood machinery. However, the most significant bone of contention for Groom was the alteration of the film’s iconic line, “Life is like a box of chocolates,” which had been changed from the original, “Being an idiot is no box of chocolates.” In an impassioned interview with The Telegraph, Groom expressed his frustration, exclaiming, “Why the hell didn’t they use my line? Why are they using this line? Well, what do I know? Everywhere I go, people send me chocolates. I hate chocolates!” Despite his annoyance, Groom acknowledged that the screenwriters had struck a chord with audiences, stating, “It’s on everybody’s tongue, the box of chocolates business.”

The impact of the film’s production left such a profound mark on Groom that he voiced his protest in the 1995 sequel, Gump and Co. In the novel, Forrest Gump declares, “Don’t ever let nobody make a movie of your life’s story.” This sentiment may explain why the sequel never materialized, as Hanks revealed that talks regarding its adaptation lasted a mere 40 minutes.

While Forrest Gump continues to captivate audiences and contribute to Hanks’ illustrious career, the behind-the-scenes struggles and creative differences serve as a reminder that even the most beloved films are not immune to controversy and artistic clashes.